Press Release
RainDance Technologies Announces Sponsorship with Expression Analysis to Paint Brighter Picture for Pediatric Cancer Patients in Denver
More than $14,000 To Be Raised at Interactive Booth at AACR Meeting
LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., April 14, 2009 – RainDance Technologies will sponsor a program by Expression Analysis, a leading provider of genomic services, to paint a brighter picture in the Rocky Mountain region for children with cancer
At the 100th Annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting April 19-22 at the Colorado Convention Center, the Durham-based company will draw hundreds of researchers and attendees to participate in its award-winning “Leave Your Fingerprint on the Cure” fundraising campaign, benefiting Cure Kids Cancer on behalf of The Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colo.
Expression Analysis expects to raise more than $14,000 for this organization that supports oncology programs at children’s hospitals across the nation. For every person who volunteers to paint a flower or pinwheel at its booth (#1261)—and personalizes it with a fingerprint in the center—Expression Analysis will donate $10 per fingerprint. In all, 450 fingerprint flowers and pinwheels are to be painted on a 12 x 5 foot mural to benefit Cure Kids Cancer and to thereby help children battling cancer find appropriate hospitals close to home. With donations from other sponsors, the final funds are expected to exceed $30 per fingerprint.
Expression Analysis will launch the campaign with a news conference at its booth at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. The final brushstrokes will take place during a closing news conference Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. inside the lobby of The Children’s Hospital. Pediatric patients and their families will get to paint the last portion of the mural. The completed mural will then be donated to and displayed at The Children’s Hospital, with a check presented to Cure Kids Cancer on behalf of the hospital.
“We know from experience that hundreds of researchers, VIPS, vendors and others will stop by with their friends to paint,” said Karen Michailo, Director of Marketing for Expression Analysis. She said Expression Analysis has already won two Diagnostic Marketing Association (DxMA) Creative Communications Awards for a similar campaign held last November, including first place for Interactive Exhibit Kiosks and overall Best of Show. “It’s just a wonderful way for us to bring all these people together to support such a great cause.”
“I think our fundraising efforts tie in perfectly with the AACR’s meeting theme of “Science, Synergy and Success,” said Expression Analysis CEO Steve McPhail. “That theme encourages the development of more teamwork and collaboration across multiple disciplines to advance research into cures for hundreds of cancer diseases. I think this a very visual, interactive way for attendees to show support for the continuum of cancer research, treatments and future cures.” By the end of the AACR meeting, including funds raised last November, Expression Analysis expects to have collected at least $27,000 for Cure Kids Cancer, a division of Children’s Miracle Network at The Children’s Hospital Foundation. Monique Bronner, Children’s Miracle Network Manager, has expressed her gratitude for this effort to raise funds and awareness during tough economic times.
“Cure Kids Cancer is dedicated to improving and saving the lives of children afflicted with cancer, and The Children’s Hospital is a leader in providing diagnosis, life-saving treatments, cutting-edge research and pediatric cancer education programs that help children with cancer and their families. We can’t thank Expression Analysis enough for its help and support. Through this endeavor, Expression Analysis is helping give families hope for their future.”
Others committed to the fundraiser are VISIT DENVER President and CEO Richard Scharf, premier sponsor Illumina, two other corporate sponsors — Applied Biosystems and RainDance Technologies — representatives from Cure Kids Cancer and The Children’s Hospital, cancer researchers, and pediatric cancer patients and families.
“Genomic technologies will play a key role in the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer, and as innovators in this field we are thrilled to partner with Expression Analysis to raise funds to address this disease,” said Tristan Orpin, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations at Illumina. Expression Analysis uses the entire suite of Illumina technology products, including its high-throughput next generation sequencing system, called the Genome Analyzer, to increase its understanding of cancer as a genetic disease.
About RainDance Technologies
RainDance Technologies is pioneering the use of high-throughput microdroplet-based analysis in human health and life science research. The company's core RainStorm™ technology generates millions of discrete droplets that can encapsulate a single molecule, cell or reaction and be digitally analyzed and sorted one at a time. The power, precision and simplicity of microdroplets enable researchers to answer complex questions with unprecedented sensitivity and quantitation. The complete RainDance solution includes automated instrumentation, customizable bioinformatics and high-value consumables and reagents for applications including targeted next-generation DNA sequencing, methylation, digital PCR and single cell analysis. Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company supports scientists around the world through its international sales and support operations and a global network of distributors and service providers. For more information, please visit www.RainDanceTech.com.
RainDance, RainStorm, ThunderStorm, Digital Biology are trademarks of RainDance Technologies, Inc. All other brands may be trademarks of their respective holders.
About Expression Analysis, Inc.
Expression Analysis (www.expressionanalysis.com) provides expression profiling, genotyping and sequencing services using Affymetrix, Applied Biosystems, RainDance Technologies and Illumina platforms. As a leading provider of microarray services in clinical trials and research, Expression Analysis is working with a variety of companies that have developed novel diagnostic and prognostic genetic tests for a variety of cancers. The company is assisting these companies in generating the necessary regulatory compliant data to move these applications from a research environment to the clinic, where they can improve patient care.
For technical questions contact:
James Brayer
RainDance Technologies
44 Hartwell Avenue
Lexington, MA 02421
781-861-6300
info@raindancetech.com
For press inquiries:
Colin Sanford
203-340-2441
colin@bioscribe.com
